Authorities Must Decide Pending Representations by Reasoned Order Within 30 Days, After Hearing the Union if Required.

The petitioner, a registered trade union, submitted representations between 29 January 2024 and 29 April 2026 seeking implementation of Clause 1 of the Minutes of Settlement dated 11 February 2022.

It alleged that the respondents had neither redressed nor decided its representations and sought a direction requiring their consideration in accordance with law.

The respondents did not oppose the limited relief sought.

1. Whether the respondents should be directed to consider and decide the petitioner union’s pending representations concerning implementation of Clause 1 of the Minutes of Settlement dated 11 February 2022

2. Whether the representations should be decided after affording the petitioner union an opportunity of hearing and by a reasoned order within a specified period

The Court exercised its writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, as invoked by the petitioner.

It applied the principle that representations requiring administrative consideration should be decided in accordance with law through a reasoned and speaking order, rather than left pending indefinitely.

The order cites no statute or precedent beyond this principle.

The Court noted that the petitioner had made several representations over approximately three years and that the respondents had not considered them.

Given the prolonged pendency, and the respondents’ lack of objection to the limited relief, the Court directed them to decide the representations on their merits and in accordance with law, with an opportunity of hearing for the petitioner union if required.

It further directed the respondents to ensure that future representations are decided in accordance with law within a short period and are not left pending for years.